Zao Wou ki (1920–2013)
What is Zao Wou ki’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 50 auction results for Zao Wou ki at 15 houses since 2007. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,320 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,005–$4,374, n=24). The auction record is $882,206 for 28.5.65 (2018, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28.5.65 | Oil on canvas | $882,206 | Sotheby's | Dec 2018 |
| 2 | 25.11.68 | Oil on canvas | $487,087 | Sotheby's | Dec 2018 |
| 3 | Le Jardin Abandonné | Huile sur toile | $352,567 | Sotheby's | Dec 2007 |
| 4 | Sans titre (encre et lavis d'encre sur papier Japon), 1981 | Ink | $68,124 | Christie's | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Sans titre (encre de Chine et lavis sur papier), 1978 | Drawing | $37,391 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| 6 | Sans titre (encre de Chine et lavis sur papier), 1978 | Drawing | $23,010 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empreintes, 2003 | Six black screenprints on BFK Rives vellum, including one signed, dated and numbered EA12/15, and a fragment of a manuscript by Catherine Zittoun | $23,304 | Christophe Joron-Derem | Jun 2021 |
| 2 | Sans titre, lithographie sur papier Arches, 2000 | Lithographie sur papier Arches | $6,393 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jul 2025 |
| 3 | Embrassement spatial, 1954 | Lithographie couleur, signée, datée et numérotée 109/200 | $6,062 | Artenchères | Apr 2018 |
| 4 | Gravure 111, 1920 | Eau-forte en 5 couleurs, imprimée sur Japon ancien | $5,755 | PIASA | Jul 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 6 | $13,492 |
| Other | 5 | $4,173 |
| Prints | 32 | $3,609 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 29 | $4,173 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $1,613 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 50 results from 15 houses · How we compute these figures
Zao Wou ki is a Chinese-French artist with 76 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $3,707. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Zao Wou ki sold in 2026 for $4,254, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Zao Wou ki work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Zao Wou ki free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Zao Wou ki record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zao Wou ki on OpeningBid →What is a Zao Wou ki work worth?
Across 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zao Wou ki work is $3,707.
The median Zao Wou ki print sells for $3,027 across 37 lots.
The median Zao Wou ki work on paper sells for $30,201 across 2 lots.
The median Zao Wou ki painting sells for $684,646 across 2 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Zao Wou ki prints typically sell for $2,698–$4,515 (the middle half of 25 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 41 | $3,027† | $6,393 | 90.2% | 2026-07-02 |
| Paintings | 2 | $684,646 | $882,206 | — | 2018-12-05 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $30,201 | $37,391 | — | 2018-10-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $487,087 | $882,206 | — | 2018-12-05 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Zao Wou ki's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (41 lots) median $3,027 with 90.2% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $684,646, record $882,206. A typical Zao Wou ki painting sells for around 226× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $487,087.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,000–$1,897 | $1,590 | $5,755 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $2,698–$4,515† | $3,974† | $6,393 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2018 | $882,206 |
| Paintings | 2018 | $487,087 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $37,391 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $23,010 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $6,393 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $6,062 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Zao Wou ki worth?
Across 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Zao Wou ki work is $3,707. The median Zao Wou ki print sells for $3,027 across 37 lots. The median Zao Wou ki work on paper sells for $30,201 across 2 lots. The median Zao Wou ki painting sells for $684,646 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Zao Wou ki prints typically sell for $2,698–$4,515 (the middle half of 25 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Zao Wou ki print?
Based on 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Zao Wou ki print is $3,027. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Zao Wou ki's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Zao Wou ki print is $6,393.
What is the average price of a medium Zao Wou ki print?
Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Zao Wou ki print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,974, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small Zao Wou ki print?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Zao Wou ki print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,590, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Zao Wou ki's auction record?
Zao Wou ki's auction record is $882,206, set in 2018.
See the full Zao Wou ki record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Zao Wou ki on OpeningBid →